Fireplace ensemble



Dec- 21, 1965 M. QUITTNER FIREPLACE ENSEMBLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 51, 1963 F F/GIZ Dec. 21, 1965 1.. M. QUITTNER FIREPLACE ENSEMBLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 51, 1963 Dec. 21, 1965 M. QUITTNER 3,224,429

FIREPLACE ENSEMBLE Filed Dec. 31, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. /0

United States Patent O 3,224,429 FIREPLACE ENSEMBLE Leonard M. Quittner, 1711 Lorraine Road, Reading, Pa. Filed Dec. 31, 1963, Ser. No. 334,718 12 Claims. (Cl. 126-202) This invention relates generally to fireplace ensembles and more particularly to a fireplace hanging curtain screen arrangement mountable inside a fireplace.

Heretofore, fireplace ensembles comprising a curtain screen, a fireset, andirons have had the curtain screen thereof constructed in different ways. For example, curtain firescreens have been constructed and encased in a rigid framework, freestanding and mountable before the fireplace externally thereof. These known screens are not constructed as knock-down assemblies and may have a very narrow bottom panel or fender fixed to the frame and made a part thereof so that andirons cannot be used therewith. Other curtain screens are constructed in a rigid frame in which a wide bottom panel or fender is fixed to the frame and made a part thereof and is provided with spaced apertures or openings for andirons so that these may be used therewith.

Other types of curtain screens are constructed as inside mounted fireplace hanging curtain screens in which the curtain portion, mechanism and decorative cornice or top bar etc. is bolted or welded as a unit permanently to the fireplace or in which a pressure-bar is employed for suspending the curtain portion, mechanism and a fixed permanently integrated decorative cornice or outer top bar which is either constructed to fit inside or outside the fireplace aperture. The pressure-bar is extensible axially and is mounted transversely on the upper part of the fireplace without any support except the pressure exerted by the pressure bar on opposite sidewalls of the fireplace. This type of construction has the screen extending down to the hearth as far as possible in which case andirons may not be used or must be fitted with special adapters permitting their use. This type of screen is sometimes supplied with a loose narrow bottom panel or fender, ornamented or plain, to close the small gap left at the bottom of the curtains and in this case andirons may not be used or must be fitted with special adapters permitting their use.

All of the known constructions have various limitations and disadvantages thereto. With wear and long use inside hanging and outside mounted freestanding fireplace curtain screens must be entirely replaced or are not easy to remove or stow when not in use and if a change of ensemble appearance is desired, an entire new screen must be bought. Furthermore, the outside mounted freestanding curtain screens are not completely effective as fire protection devices. Moreover, this type of curtain screen cannot be practically custom-made with mass production techrn'ques. The inside mounted fireplace hanging curtain screens permanently mounted or mounted by the use of upper transverse pressure bars, on the other hand, have limited use in that they cannot be employed with andirons or require that andirons be fitted with special adapters of elaborate construction. Moreover, they can not be used on all types of fireplaces, namely those fireplaces which have no sides to them. A particular disadvantage of the known inside mounted fireplace hanging curtain screens is that the pressure bar thereof is mounted transversely in the upper part of the fireplace which is usually one of the hottest zones of the fireplace so that the bar is constantly subjected to thermal cycling and requires a continual but intermittent take-up adjustment. Moreover, the constant thermal cycling causes distortion and bowing of the pressure bar so that eventually a permanent sag is developed in the curtain screen so that it looks unsightly and does not efiiciently carry out its fire protection function since a space is left between the sag on the screen and the upper part of the fireplace and eventually the whole screen must be replaced.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel in'side mounted fireplace hanging curtain screen arrangement which can be readily mass-produced for custom use and which can readily be used in conjunction with andirons without any adaptation.

A feature of the invention is the provision of an inside mounted fireplace hanging curtain screen supported on a pair of upstanding, spaced apart, support members adjustable longitudinally for exerting a pressure between the top of the fireplace and the hearth thereof for positively maintaining the upstanding support members in an upstanding position. A transverse member which can be constructed as a heat and fire shield is connected as a transverse support member between the spaced apart upstanding support members for supporting a curtain screen for travel thereon. The curtain screen is constructed as a flexible curtain which does not extend to the hearth and is sufficiently spaced from the hearth to allow a plurality of andirons to be mounted in position without the use of adapters. A bottom fender removably mounted is disposed covering the space between the hearth and the lower edge portion of the curtain. The fender is provided with openings for permitting the use of andirons.

Another feature of the inside mounted fireplace hanging curtain screen is that the upstanding adjustable, support members are disposed when in use adjacent the inside side walls of the fireplace. Thus they are disposed in substantially the coolest zones of the fireplace and are not subjected to the heat cycling that the known pressure'bars are subjected so that the need for constant adjustment is eliminated and the transverse support member is free of sagging so that the effectiveness and life of the screen are greatly improved.

Still another feature is that with this type of construction the transverse member or shield is constructed independently of the cornice or decorative top bar, which can be removed easily, changed or replaced entirely without affecting the operation of the screen itself.

Other features and advantages of the inside mounted fireplace curtain screen in accordance with the present invention will be better understood as described in the following specification and appended claims, in conjunction with the following drawings in which: I

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of an inside mounted fireplace hanging curtain screen arrangement according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the screen illustrated in FIG. I viewed from internally of the fireplace;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a section view taken along section lines 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a heat and fire shield with the arrangement in FIG. 1 with a decorative cover thereon;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a heat and fire shield with a canopy mounted thereon;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another canopy arrangement according to the invention;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are fragmentary views of another canopy construction according to the invention;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of a fender according to the invention; and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view of another fender according to the invention.

According to the drawing, the invention comprises an, inside mounted fireplace hanging curtain screen comprising two halves of sections 2, 3 made, for example, of a flexible metallic mesh. The firescreen is of the draw curtain screen type operated by a pull chain or cable. It being understood that although the curtain is illustrated as two sections, it can be constructed as a single section, or may be operated manually without pull chain or cable.

The screen is supported for movement or travel on a support strip 5 extending transversely of the fireplace adjacent the top, for example a lintel 7, of the fireplace. Preferably the metallic strip is constructed of a sufficient width to extend downwardly from the underside of the lintel 7 to function as a heat and fire shield. The transverse member 5 is supported by a pair of upstanding, spaced apart, support members 9, 10 constructed for variably, adjustably setting the horizontal position and vertical height of the transverse member 5 and are mounted inside the fireplace adjacent the sidewalls thereof as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The support members are similarly constructed and are constructed to exert a pressure between the under: side of the lintel 7 and the hearth 13 of the fireplace for holding themselves upstanding and in fixed positions when mounted in position thereby holding the transverse member 5 rigidly in position supporting the hanging curtain in a fixed condition.

In order to provide for axial extension of the support members 9, 10 and variably setting the axial extension of the support members 9, 10, so that they can be constructed to fit a substantially wide range of fireplaces having different heights, each side support member comprises an upper, tubular part 14 internally of which is mounted a fixed cap or bushing 16 attached to a bracket 17 secured to a backside of the transverse member 5. The tubular member 14 can be secured to the bracket, for example, by welding, brazing, soldering and the like. Moreover, the member 14 can be constructed to fit snugly 4 over the bushing 16 with a press fit so that it is always constantly supported in operation in a depending condition without being secured to the bracket 17, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Internally of the upper, tubular part 14 is mounted a second or lower tubular part 19 mounted coaxially with the upper tubular member and having an upper end seated on the underside 20 of the bushing 16 for rotation thereon. A lower end of the lower tubular member is provided with an internally threaded cap or bushing 22 in which is disposed a threaded screw 24 to which is pivotally secured a foot 26 as hereinafter described.

The foot 26 is made, for example, from a single piece having downwardly extending flanges 27 provided with serrations 28 for engaging the hearth 13 of the fireplace. A portion of the strip from which the foot 26 is made is constructed as two vertically upstanding spaced apart supports on which is mounted a pivot pin 30 pivotally mounting the screw 24. The axial adjustment or length of the individual support members 9, 10 is adjusted and set by rotating the respective inner tubular member 19 thereof manually to cause the screw thereof to make the assembly function in the manner of a jack.

The upper end of each of the support members is provided with means for making preliminary and fine adjustment of the horizontal position of the transverse member 5 comprising a threaded screw 33 adjustable axially and engageable with the underside surface of the lintel 7 or the top surface of the fireplace if a lintel is not provided. It will be understood that each of the support members is similarly constructed and similarly secured to the transverse member 5.

' In order to suspend the two screen halves or sections 2, 3, the transverse member 5 is provided with the bracket 17 as indicated heretofore and another support bracket 35 on which are secured a pair of bent brackets 36, 37 and intermediate of which is mounted another bracket 38, to which are secured depending brackets 39, 40 on which are mounted support rods, 42, 43 extending respectively between the brackets 39, 40 and the outer brackets 36, 37.

The two screen halves 2, 3 are mounted on a plurality of rings 44 for axial travel on respective support rods 42, 43. The pull chain 4 is mounted on a pulley 49 and has a lower run 4a and an upper run 4b extending over a pair of pulleys 50, 51 secured, for example, with brackets 53, 54 on the backside of the heat and firescreen member 5. The screen has some of the support rings secured to the pull chain or cable if such is provided in known manner to respective spans or runs of the pull chain so that the screen can be pulled to a closed condition as illustrated in FIG. 1 and to an opened condition or position selectively in known manner.

The curtain screen is of flexible metallic mesh having a length such that it does not reach to the hearth 13. An underside edge 56 is spaced apart from the hearth 13 a suflicient height to allow andirons 60, 61 to fit in the space beneath the lower edge 56 of the curtain screen without the use of any special adapters.

In order to provide for a safe condition, a fender 63 is provided extending across the fireplace. The fender is provided with openings 65, 66 through which the andirons 60, 61 extend. The fender is constructed of a suitable material, for example metal, with any desired decorations 68 and decorative trim 69 constructed, for example, as a U-shaped strip with decorative buttonhead staking 70', 71 fixing the strips in position. For example, the fender may be constructed of one color of metal and the trim of a brass or gold colored trim. The fender is constructed with a top flange 73 and a lower flange 75. Preferably the flanges do not extend the full length of the fender so that the outermost end marginal edge portions 78, 79 are substantially flush with the outer marginal edge face portions of the front surfaces of the side walls of the fireplace. The fender is held in an upstanding position by one or more back feet 81 having a weight 82 and a resilient projection 84 and a resilient flange 86 configured to engage within the flange 75 and underneath the flange 73 respectively as illustrated so that the back foot can be snapped into position and readily removed.

FIG. 10 illustrates another type of back foot construction comprising simply an L-shaped member 92 removably secured by a threaded screw 93 mounting the brace on the flange 91 of a fender 97. Those skilled in the art will recognize that supports or back feet for fenders are well known in the art and may be constructed for movement to a position as illustrated in FIG. 10 holding the fender 97 in an upstanding and fixed position can be constructed to be pivotally mounted, not shown, for positioning in alignment or longitudinally of the fender in known manner.

Another embodiment of a fender 94 according to the invention is illustrated fragmentarily in FIG. 11. In this construction the fender is provided a front foot 95 and a similar foot is provided on an opposite end portion, not shown. The fender 94 is constructed as heretofore described with respect to the other embodiments with a bottom flange 96 and a top flange 98 neither of which extends the full length of the fender so that the fender has opposite end marginal edge portions 99 for mounting the fender substantially parallel to the front or face surfaces of the side walls of the fireplace.

The inside mounted fireplace hanging curtain screen according to the invention is constructed so that certain parts thereof can be constructed as standardized items and used to construct standard size screens or custombuilt screens as desired. Those skilled in the art will understand that the upstanding support members 9, 10 can be constructed in a range of sizes and a given size will be usable in a relatively large number of fireplaces having different heights. The sole member that need be made to a specific dimension is the heat and fire shield 5. The curtains 2, 3 of course, are constructed to dimensions suitable to the particular fireplace and so is the. tender to be used in conjunction therewith.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision for using the component parts already described as a basis for a multiplicity of decorative combinations. For example, the parts described heretofore can be constructed with a black metallic finish or combinations of black and solid brass, or polished solid brass. The support members can be constructed with a black finish along with the screen and then a plurality of fenders can be provided in an ensemble so that one combination or ensemble is used for winter use and another either of the same or of a different finish can be used for summer use or in the event of a change in the decor of the room in which the fireplace is situated. Thus rather than having to buy a complete new screen the ensemble can be made to fit the situation by a simple change of fenders and/ or top cornice and, in fact several ensembles are possible with one mechanism and different fenders and tops such as hoods or canopies.

Moreover, in order to provide for a multiplicity of decorative combinations Within a given ensemble or to provide for different types of ensembles using as a basis the parts heretofore described, the invention provides for a plurality of decorative top cornices, hoods or canopies as hereinafter described.

In the drawing, FIGS. 5-9 inclusive, alike reference numerals are used with respect to alike parts in order to correlate the various combinations possible according to the invention. As indicated heretofore, the arrangement according to the invention comprises a transverse member 5 which can function as a heat and fire shield. Although this member can be made of narrow width, to simply support the pull chain and support rods for the screen, the transverse member is preferably a metal strip member having a Width, for example, in the order to two inches to function as a heat and fire shield. This strip is provided with a plurality, for example, two threaded holes through which extend threaded screws 100 projecting in a direction forwardly of the transverse member and on which are threaded wing nuts 102 for removably securing a given type of canopy thereon. Moreover, the wing nuts may be removed and the screws 100 retracted to the position illustrated in FIG. 5 so that a cover member 105 may he slipped over longitudinally over the end of the member 5 since it extends slightly forwardly of the face of the fireplace. The cover member 105 is preferably constructed as a finished cover providing a decorative trim over the front face heat and fire shield 5. The cover is provided with flanges 106, 107 which hold the cover in position covering the face of the heat and fire shield.

As indicated heretofore, the invention provides for the use of decorative top cornices extending forwardly, outwardly of the fireplace as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. The various arrangements are shown in FIGS. 5-9 inclusive. In order to provide for this type of arrangement, in one embodiment of a top cornice a hanger or bracket 110 comprising a fiat strip having notches along an underside edge 111 thereof for receiving the spaced threaded screws 100 is provided. A finished canopy 112 is secured to this hanger with finished rivets 113. The canopy 112 is easily mounted on the transverse member 5 by simply backing off the wing nuts 102 and suspending the hanger 110 in position holding the canopy 112 in position and if desired taking up on the Wing nuts.

The invention provides for the use of a different type of hanger comprising an angle iron 115 provided with axially spaced notches on the under edge 116 thereof for receiving the supporting screws 100. Secured to this type of configuration is a finished L-shaped hood 119 having a front face portion 120 defining a space 121 between the transverse member 5 providing access for adjustably taking up or backing off the Wing nuts 102. As illustrated in FIG. 7, this type of construction can also be constructed as shown in phantom where a hood 125 extends or flares outwardly in the usual hood-like configuration. In both of these embodiments the top cornice has a finish and is secured, for example, with bottonhead decorative rivets 126 securing it to the hanger bracket 115.

The same type of angle bracket can be used in the construction illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 for a decorative canopy in which the bracket or hanger 115 is suspended on the heat and fire shield 5 in an easily removable and remountable condition as heretofore described. In this type construction a center section 129, also viewable in FIG. 1, of the canopy can be constructed to any suitable length in accordance with the dimensions of the fireplace Which the canopy is to be used. The corners of the canopy in the embodiment of FIG. 8 are constructed as a left-hand corner 130 and a right-hand corner 131. It can be seen that these corners can be manufactured by mass-production techniques and are assemblable with the center section as hereinafter described.

The individual corners have a raised deformation 135, 136 respectively defining a recess of sufficient depth so that when the member 129 is mounted thereon the outermost edges of the intermediate member 129 abut against an underside edge 137 of the deformation. The raised deformations appear substantially like a pair of decorative straps when the intermediate member is secured to the corners with decorative or finished rivets 14-1.

The type of top cornice illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 8 can likewise be constructed by having deformation defining as shown in FIG. 9 in which a corner 143 is provided with a recess 144 so that an outermost edge 146 of an intermediate member 129 abuts against a depression edge 147 so that the canopy is made to appear like a continuous formed member. It being understood that the preferred embodiment of this configuration of canopy is illustrated in FIG. 8. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that constructing the top cornice as a multi-part assembly in the manner illustrated provides a construction permitting mass-production of the corners and the stock from which individual member 129 are made in any length and then cut to any desired length for custom built screens according to the invention.

The ease of mounting the various type of canopies provides for replacement of the canopy and the fender or both to provide substantially a new look to the screen arrangement according to the invention without need of buying the other component parts as is generally the case, for example, in the known screens.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that many modifications and changes can be made within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, an inside mounted fireplace hanging curtain screen, a pair of elongated, spaced apart, axially extendable support members mountable internally of a fireplace on a hearth thereof in an upstanding position and exerting pressure on an underside of the top of the fireplace, a transverse member connected to said support members in and spanning a space between said upstanding members for supporting said curtain screen and disposed in use adjacent a front top face portion of the fireplace, each of said support members comprising, an elongated rotatable part, means on each rotatable part relative to which said rotatable part is rotatable having a surface engageable with said underside of the top of said fireplace, a threaded screw disposed as a variable extension on each of said support members for variably increasing and decreasing the over-all axial length of the respective support member in response to rotation of said rotatable part in opposite directions relative to a longitudinal axis of the respective support member while mounted in said fireplace thereby to increase and decrease the overall axial length of said respective support member and to vary pressure applied by each respective support member to said underside of the top and the hearth of said fireplace for holding said support members in upstanding position mounted inside said fireplace, and said screen comprising a flexible draw curtain screen mounted for movement relative to said transverse member.

2. In combination according to claim 1, in which said hanging curtain has a lower edge spaced from said hearth thereby defining a space between the hearth and the curtain, and a fender mountable transversely of said fireplace in a removable condition closing said space.

3. In a combination according to claim 2, in which said fender has axially spaced apertures for receiving andirons therein, and said curtain having a length to allow said andirons to extend between the curtain and the hearth.

4. In a combination according to claim 1, in which said transverse member comprises a strip having an axial length substantially the width of said fireplace and a given width suflicient for said transverse member to function as a heat and fire shield across the top of said fireplace.

5. In a combination according to claim 1, in which said support members each comprise means for each support member defining a foot for resting on said hearth.

6. In a combination according to claim 5, including means pivotally connecting said screw to said foot.

7. In a combination according to claim I, in which said transverse member comprises a strip of material disposed parallel to the face of said fireplace and of sufficient width to function as a heat and fire shield.

8. In a combination according to claim 1, further comprising a decorative cover removably mounted on said transverse member.

9. In a combination according to claim 1, further comprising a canopy detachably mounted on said transverse member.

10. In a combination according to claim 1, in which said curtain comprises a flexible mesh and has a length less than the length of said support members when disposed supporting said screen thereby defining a space between a lowermost edge of the screen and said hearth to provide for andirons having a portion disposed between the hearth and the underside edge of said screen, and a fender having an axial length at least as long as the width across the front of said fireplace and positionable to cooperate with said screen for closing said space between the screen and the hearth, and said fender having axially spaced openings for receiving the andiron portions extending through said space.

11. In combination, an inside mounted fireplace hanging curtain screen, a pair of elongated, spaced apart, axially extendable support members mountable internally of a fireplace on a hearth thereof in an upstanding position and exerting pressure on an underside of the top of the fireplace, a transverse member connected to said support members in use and spanning a space between said upstanding members for supporting said curtain screen and disposed in use adjacent a front top face portion of the fireplace, each of said support members comprising, an elongated rotatable part, means on each rotatable part relative to which said rotatable part is rotatable having a surface engageable with said underside of the top of said fireplace, a threaded screw disposed as a variable extension on said rotatable part of each of said support members for variably increasing and decreasing the axial length of the respective support member in response to rotation of said rotatable part in opposite directions relative to a longitudinal axis of the respective support member while mounted in said fireplace thereby to. increase and decrease the axial length of said respective support member and to vary said pressure applied by each respective support member to said underside of said top and the hearth of said fireplace for holding said support members in upstanding position mounted inside said fireplace, said means on each support member having a surface engageable with said underside of said top comprising another screw manually adjustable for axially extending the overall length of a respective support member before mounting each support member internally of said fireplace, and said screen comprising a flexible draw curtain screen mounted for movement relative to said transverse member.

12. In combination, an inside mounted fireplace hanging curtain screen, a pair of elongated, spaced apart, axially extending support members mountable internally of a fireplace on a hearth thereof in an upstanding position and exerting pressure on an underside of the top of the fireplace, a transverse member connected to said support members in use and spanning a space between said upstanding members for supporting said curtain screen and disposed in use adjacent a front top face port-ion of the fireplace, each of said support members comprising, an elongated rotatable part, means on each rotatable part relative to which said rotatable part is rotatable having a surface engageable with said underside of the top of said fireplace, a threaded means disposed to effect variable extension of each support member independently for variably increasing and decreasing the axial length of the respective support member in response to rotation of said rotatable part in opposite directions relative to a longitudinal axis of the respective support member while mounted in said fireplace thereby to increase and decrease the axial length of said respective support member and to vary said pressure applied by each respective support member to said underside of said top and the hearth of said fireplace for holding said support members in upstanding position mounted inside said fireplace, and said screen comprising a flexible draw curtain screen mounted for movement relative to said transverse member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 208,569 10/1878 Clayton 126-142 264,990 9/1882 Winter 126 142 2,604,157 7/1952 Gaetano 126202 2,627,914 2/1953 Helwig 126202 2,644,191 7/1953 Meyer l26-202 X 2,794,217 6/1957 Croft -1 126137 X 2,803,241 8/1957 Chapla' 126202' 2,836,236 5/1958 Weir 248-354 3,018,774 1/1962 Rubens 126-202 3,139,882 7/1964 White 126137 FOREIGN PATENTS 534,632 3/ 1941 Great Britain. 741,891 12/ 1955 Great Britain.

FREDERICK L. MATTESON, JR., Primary Examiner.

JAMES W. WESTHAVER, Examiner.

V. M. PERUZZI, S. W. MILLARD, E. G. FAVORS,

Assistant Examiners. 

1. IN COMBINATION, AN INSIDE MOUNTED FIREPLACE HANGING CURTAIN SCREEN, A PAIR OF ELONGATED, SPACE APART, AXIALLY EXTENDABLE SUPPORT MEMBERS MOUNTABLE INTERNALLY OF A FIREPLACE ON A HEARTH THEREOF IN AN UPSTANDING POSITION AND EXERTING PRESSURE ON AN UNDERSIDE OF THE TOP OF THE FIREPLACE, A TRANSVERSE MEMBER CONNECTED TO SAID SUPPORT MEMBERS IN AND SPANNING A SPACE BETWEEN SAID UPSTANDING MEMBERS FOR SUPPORTING SAID CURTAIN SCREEN AND DISPOSED IN USE ADJACENT A FRONT TOP FACE PORTION OF THE FIREPLACE, EACH OF SAID SUPPORT MEMBERS COMPRISING, AN ELONGATED ROTATABLE PART, MEANS ON EACH ROTATABLE PART RELATIVE TO WHICH SAID ROTATABLE PART IS ROTATABLE HAVING A SURFACE ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID UNDERSIDE OF THE TOP OF SAID FIREPLACE, A THREADED SCREW DISPOSED AS A VARIABLE EXTENSION ON EACH OF SAID SUPPORT MEMBERS FOR VARIABLY INCREASING AND DECREASING THE OVERALL AXIAL LENGTH OF THE RESPECTIVE SUPPORT MEMBER IN RESPONSE TO ROTATION OF SAID ROTATABLE PART IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS RELATIVE TO A LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE RESPECTIVE SUPPORT MEMBER WHILE MOUNTED IN SAID FIREPLACE THEREBY TO INCREASE AND DECREASE THE OVERALL AXIAL LENGTH OF SAID RESPECTIVE SUPPORT MEMBER AND TO VARY PRESSURE APPLIED BY EACH RESPECTIVE SUPPORT MEMBER TO SAID UNDERSIDE OF THE TOP AND THE HEARTH OF SAID FIREPLACE FOR HOLDING SAID SUPPORT MEMBERS IN UPSTANDING POSITION MOUNTED INSIDE SAID FIREPLACE, AND SAID SCREEN COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE DRAW CURTAIN SCREEN MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID TRANSVERSE MEMBER. 